The Rural Voice, 1989-04, Page 59is
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ADVICE
eye. Although a few species attack plant
roots, most of them are harmless; they
simply live on decaying organic matter.
Protozoa are very tiny animals. One
pound of soil contains between 300
million and one billion. They live on
bacteria.
The Micro -Organisms
The micro-organisms include bacte-
ria, fungi, and actinomycetes. They are
extremely important to soil life because
they change organic materials into by-
products that plants can use.
Bacteria are the most numerous and
most important of all soil organisms.
Some grow in the absence of organic
matter and change ammonia to nitrite
and nitrite to nitrate. Other bacteria
change elements such as sulphur and
iron into forms that plants can use. The
main bacteria in the soil derive their
energy from organic matter and require
oxygen to grow. One group of bacteria
attaches itself to roots of plants and fixes
nitrogen into forms that higher plants
�f can use.
Some bacteria are responsible for a
number of plant diseases such as bacte-
1- rial wilt.
1- Although fungi are less numerous
In than bacteria, they still number between
1- 10,000 to 3 million per spoonful of soil.
d Some fungi are parasitic (feeding on
to living plants) and responsible for many
diseases, but others are bacterial. One
10 type, for example, serves as an exten-
at sion of the root hair of plants such as
.0 blueberries and many types of trees.
Another type feeds on non -living or-
s. ganic material. Fungi are especially
it useful in soil because they break down
re the somewhat resistant cellulose and
n, lignin.
at Moulds secrete digestive enzymes
It which in turn digest organic matter.
Actinomycetes are used in medicine
s, to make up many kinds of antibiotics. In
;h the soil, their main function is in decom-
posing organic matter. Certain strains
cause scabs on potatoes.
Algae are not only present in water,
they also live in a moist, fertile soil. The
green colour of the soil surface follow-
ing watering and fertilization is due to an
increase in algae. Some types of algae
can fix atmospheric nitrogen gas to ni-
.e trate forms that plants can use.0
h. Adrien Gallant is an agrologist with
d Nutrite Inc. in Elmira.
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We're in BUSINESS to keep you WORKING
• Chisel Plow Points
• Mould Board
• Concaves
• Shins
• Landsides
• Feeder Chain
• Coulter Blades
• Raddle Chain
• Grill Guards
• Roller Chain
• Gathering Chain
• Cylinder Bars
• Plow Points
• Grade 8 Fine
Thread Bolts
• Grade 5 Coarse
Thread Bolts
• Cultivator Points
• Disc Blades
• Hand Tools
• Shop Tools
HUGH PARSONS BOLTS & TOOLS LTD.
1 1/4 miles east of Hensall
519-263-5681
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ldentify Yourself
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,„ PORK
FARM IDENTIFICATION
HANGING SIGN
Featuring the new PORK SYMBOL and
imprinted with your name if desired
• Signs are double sided
• Made of .064 aluminum and finished in
acrylic baked enamel
• Rounded corners and grommeted for
hanging. "S" hooks included
If you would like your name on the optional panel, you can hand letter it by
yourself or by a local painter, purchase letters from your local hardware store, or
have us do it for you — (see coupon below)
DOUBLE SIDED SIGN 24" 24"
Please send me sign(s) @ 515 00 each 5
NAME PANEL 6" x 24"
Please send me oanel(s) @ 53 00 each 5
• PERSONALIZED PANEL
Add $2.00 per letter (times two, if double sided) 5
Prov. Sales Tax 8% $
TOTAL $
11! I I I
Please Print
Identification
NAME -
ADDRESS
TOWN PROV
Send order and cheque to
POSTAL
CODE
Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board
�k 15 WAULRON ST , ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO M9C 5H3
APRIL 1989 57